Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 25 October 2017
215. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the job shadow initiative for persons with mental health difficulties is succeeding; the current initiative and plans for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45195/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Job Shadow Initiative is an initiative of the Irish Association of Supported Employment (IASE) "to promote equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities". I welcome any initiative which helps to support people in reaching their potential.
In terms of mental health employment initiatives, Integrating Employment and Mental Health Support is a pilot project developed with Genio and Department of Social Protection funding. The project is based on the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model, an internationally evidence-based approach. The IPS model facilitates people with mental health difficulties to gain mainstream competitive employment either full time or part time. IPS involves eight key principles, including allowing any individual to avail of supported employment regardless of ‘job readiness’, providing time-unlimited support, and integrating the employment specialists into multidisciplinary mental health teams. The IPS model aims to improve the mental health outcomes for the participating individual as well as increase the likelihood they will access work. This pilot has recently come to an end and a final report is currently being produced.
